When your dog hates baths

                                           When your dog hates baths

Not all dogs like swimming, getting baths or playing in water.  It can be traumatic for some dogs to get a bath.  Therefore, it's important to be understanding and patient with your dog. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind if your struggling with giving your dog a bath:
-Make sure water is a comfortable temperature
-Give your dog a treat while bathing him/her
-Make sure to reward your dog with playtime, treats or a walk afterward
-Talk to your dog while bathing him/her
-Don't continue to pour running water over your dog's face (this will frighten them)
-Be gentle and understanding!

With these tips, bath-time should be a little more enjoyable for you and your dog.

 

Paw Rescue is a great website that includes several tips to bathing and shampooing your pooch.

Solomon absolutely hates baths! I make him more relaxed by giving him treats and talking to him. I keep telling him he's a "good boy" and that he's "okay".

 

 

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Homemade Dog Treats

Easy way to make dog treats that will save you money!

Ingredients:

·    *    2 ¾ cup whole wheat flour

·      *  2 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

·        *2 tablespoons brown sugar

·        *1 teaspoon sea salt

·        *3 eggs

·        *1 cup peanut butter

·        *1/3 cup vegetable oil

·        *1 cup water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Mix everything into a bowl and beat until smooth.

3. Cover and set aside for 15-20 minutes.

4. Roll out dough and cut into shape of your choice.

5. Bake 40 minutes.

Solly absolutely loves these!

TICKS

Ticks are parasitic arthropods that feed on the blood of their hosts.  Dogs can pick them up easily from being outside.  Living by wooded areas or having lots of brush around your yard can include more bugs and your dog will be more likely to pick up a tick.

 

PetSmart has a variety of flea and tick items for dogs.

 

If you are removing a tick from a dog, make sure that you use a reliable tool.  There are stores that sell specific tick removers.  However, I will explain my remedy for removing ticks off of Solly.  Now that we have moved and live surrounded by the woods, Solly gets ticks everyday.  I use an old credit card and cut it into a tiny square.  Then, I cut a slit in the card making the slit wider at the end.  I use the slit of the card to press it against Solly's skin because that's where the head of the tick is.  The most important part of getting a tick out is making sure to get the entire head out.  I hear a clicking noise when I put the tick off of him.  I know that this sound means that I got the head of the tick out of his skin.  The longer the tick is on a dog or person, the bigger they get.  This is because they are filling their bodies up with the blood they are sucking. 

Also, it is important to get your dog checked for Lyme's disease every six months if they get ticks often. 

I buy a new tick collar for Solly every three months and check him thoroughly everytime he comes in from outside. 

This is how the credit card should look.  The more narrow slit allows a better grip around the ticks head.

 Solly wears a regular collar and a tick collar. 

A New Home

Moving can be difficult and overwhelming for not just adults, but your pets as well. Over the last week, I have been in the process of moving. I have been taking Solly to the new house with me every day so that he can get used to his new home. I know he doesn't understand that that will be his new home yet, but I want him to get used to the place so he feels more comfortable. Dogs are smart, and they pick up on emotions and differences in an environment, but they can also have a fear of new surroundings. It’s important to maintain a normal routine with your pet.  For example, if you take your dog for a walk every day, continue to take your dog for a walk every day from the new house. Make sure to get a new pet ID with the new address and telephone number as soon as you can.  It is comforting to let your dog see his or her items at the new home, so set them up where they will be familiar to your dog.  Also, lots of attention will only make the situation better.  Take a walk around the house and the yard with your pet to become familiar with the new layout of the house.    

PetCo provides a helpful care sheet that includes information about moving with your pet. 

Solly loves his big new yard!

Yummy Treats

Dessert for Dogs!

FROSTY PAWS is ice cream for dogs.  This product is made from Purina and is a healthy treat that dogs love.  On a hot summer day, open an ice cream cup and let your dog enjoy. Frosty Paws comes in a box of four ice cream cups and can be found online or in the ice cream section at Walmart.  

I made sure to read the ingredients and research it online before purchasing.  I was happy with the ingredients that are used to make this product and the results I got online.  

Solly loves Frosty Paws!

DOG PARKS AND FUN EVENTS

OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS!

Dog parks allow your dog to run freely in a fenced in area.  There are usually bowls there for your dog to drink water out of.  Also, this allows your dog to interact and play with other dogs (if your dog gets along with other animals).

Here are some of the closest dog parks around the Pittsburgh area.  They’re free, safe and fun for your pet to get exercise.  Make sure to check out the rules and regulations beforehand.

This is a great link to check out upcoming events with your dog.

One of the upcoming events: March 15th at 7:00 p.m.

Animal Friends' McBark & Brew - St. Patrick's Day Beer Tasting
Friday, March 15 7:00p - 8:30pm | Animal Friends
(562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237)Bring your pooch and come ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish! Taste a variety of micro-brew beers and Irish treats. The night will also include a Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle. While you socialize, your four-legged guests will romp around our Outreach Center and play with their canine friends. Registration is required as space is limited. Dogs that are both people and dog-friendly are welcome to attend. Please bring your dog's vaccination record. Please, no retractable leashes; only standard 5-6 ft leashes. $20 donation is requested.  Canine companions are free! 

http://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Calendar_Events

A day at the park with the sun shining through the trees.

Bad Breath

Bad Breath

Adult dogs can develop bad breath (halitosis) even if they have healthy looking teeth. There are a few reasons why this may occur.  Smaller dogs are more likely to have bad breath, but it can still occur in bigger dogs as well.  Respiratory problems, diet, plaque and bacteria buildup are a few causes of bad breath. 

However, there are ways to help eliminate this.  It may help to talk to your veterinarian and have your dog examined.  Another idea is to try a couple different brands of dog food first to see if the smell lessens. 

Pet stores and online websites sell toys and medicine to help with bad breath.  For example, Petco sells a bottle of mint flavored spray that occasionally gets sprayed into a dog’s mouth. Petco also sells flavored water additives that are directly added to your dog’s water to freshen breath.  Petsmart sells dog treats that help to prevent bad breath when your dog chews on them. 

Solly gets bad breath from time to time but does not like to chew on the dog treats that are supposed to help with this problem.  I have also tried the water additives from Petco.  I found that they do freshen breath for a few hours and then the smell comes back.  I needed something that would last longer.  To be honest, I use regular toothpaste and add some onto a regular soft bristle toothbrush and brush Solly’s teeth every two weeks.  It makes him smell much better, and he doesn’t get an upset stomach from the toothpaste.  So, this is my cheap remedy.  

Solly got a bath, his teeth brushed and now he's ready for bed!